Farmers have been making good progress with the harvest

Rainfall over the last week caused some farmers a slight delay in harvest activity, but it's a welcome sight for areas that have been fairly dry.

Crop Extension Specialist Tyce Masich says it's not ideal to see rain in the middle of harvest, but the moisture has been a relief for dry areas.

The precipitation has helped to improve topsoil moisture conditions. This week's report shows cropland is rated as one per cent surplus, 41 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and 21 per cent very short. For hayland, topsoil moisture is 36 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 25 per cent very short. Finally, pasture topsoil moisture is 26 per cent adequate, 39 per cent short and 34 per cent very short.

Despite the rain, farmers have made good progress with the harvest. Provincially 74 per cent of the crop is now in the bin, with the southwest leading the harvest at 95 per cent complete. The southeast is at 77 per cent, the east-central, west-central and northwest regions are 63 per cent complete, while the northeast has passed the halfway point with 58 per cent of the crop in the bin.

According to this week's report winter wheat, triticale and field pea crop harvest is now complete. Lentil and fall rye crops are very close to wrapping up as well. Leading all spring-seeded cereals, 93 per cent of durum acres have been harvested. Other spring cereals are also coming along as 88 per cent of barley, 81 per cent of spring wheat, 73 per cent of oats and 49 per cent of canary seed have been harvested. Chickpea combining is in the final stages with 89 per cent harvested. For oilseed crops, mustard leads harvest progress at 90 per cent. Many producers are currently working to get canola crops harvested, with 47 per cent in the bin. Flax and soybeans are the furthest behind in harvest progress, with 33 per cent of flax and 25 per cent of soybeans currently harvested.

Masich notes crop quality and yields vary region to region but overall yields are considered to be about average.

"Average spring wheat yields are 45 bushels per acre, average canola yields are 34 bushels per acre, average barley yields are 63 bushels per acre, durum is 33 bushels per acre, peas are 36 bushels per acre, and lentils are 1317 pounds per acre."

Some farmers in the drier areas in the southwest have been reporting below-average yields.

Pasture conditions around Saskatchewan vary by region. This is largely due to the amount of rainfall received during the growing season. Provincially, less than one per cent of pastures are in excellent condition, 22 per cent are in good condition, 39 per cent are fair, 26 per cent are poor and 13 per cent are very poor. The best pasture conditions are being reported in the northeast while the southwest is reporting the poorest conditions.

To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with Crops Extension Specialist Tyce Masich click on the link below.